Uncovering Benefits for Social Security Disability in West Virginia

Meeting the eligibility requirements for Social Security disability benefits may warrant further investigation for additional benefits. Kala Kachmar of the Montgomery Advertiser in Alabama reports on one such scenario.

“In 1996, local Vietnam veteran Rubin Willis was deemed 100 percent disabled by the U.S. Army — the branch he served for more than 25 years.

It wasn’t until a few months ago that Willis found out he didn’t have to pay property taxes to the state or county because of his disability. Willis, like hundreds of thousands of other veterans, didn’t know about the benefit he was entitled to.

Willis, who has kept careful records of every tax payment he’s ever made, has paid more than $3,700 since 1996. And he won’t be able to get the money back.”

The dilemma confronting Willis may not be the only one in the country. All around the U.S., there are thousands of active and retired personnel from all branches of the armed forces who may be hindered by varied degrees of disability. Even if they were honorably separated from the service in some way, issues of disability may still hound them, and that will warrant the guidance of people skilled in navigating Social Security disability cases, such as the professionals here at Jan Dils Attorneys at Law.

Discussions with a preferred counsel may focus on the scale of the injury and the efforts to apply for commensurate disability benefits thus far. In Willis’ case, he served in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, sustained back injuries, and was even hit by a .50-caliber round. The Social Security Administration also noted his plastic knee in recommending him for full disability.

Your lawyer must be aware of any other benefits you’ve been granted. Although it is not known if Willis had other funds aside from his Social Security paychecks, he laments that a Veterans Affairs counselor never informed him about the state or county property tax exemption during his retirement clearance. An Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program official claims that the clearance takes three days and even then there’s not enough time to talk to the service personnel about other potential benefits.

Skilled Social Security disability lawyers can help ensure that you are receiving all potential benefits and fight for you in cases that may be more challenging or unclear. At Jan Dils Attorneys at Law, our consultations are free and there are no upfront fees. We are only paid if you are approved for benefits. Call us at 877.526.3457 or fill out this form and we will respond to you shortly.

(Source: Disabled veterans lose funds from unpublicized benefits, Montgomery Advertiser)